Archivist

Chronological History of Jeffco – the 1860s

January 2, 1860

First county election, under provisional Jefferson Territory: Golden City selected as county seat; also elected a sheriff, clerk and recorder, and county judge.

January 9, 1860

First school in Jefferson County opened in Golden City.

January 16, 1860

Golden City Masonic lodge, one of the first Masonic organizations in Colorado, established.

August 26, 1860

All time hottest temperature in Jefferson County of 104 degrees recorded in Golden City.

October 6, 1860

Birth of Charles L. Palmer, reputedly the first child of gold rush settlers to be born in Jefferson County. He served as county commissioner, 1902-1909.

November 22, 1860

Golden City becomes capital of Jefferson Territory.

1861

Three mining districts formed and operated in central Jefferson County to administer extra legal law. Bergen District (Bergen Park), Junction District (Conifer), and Mt. Vernon District (Mt. Vernon Canyon) then combined under the leadership of Thomas Bergen to form short-lived Ni-Wot County.

February 28, 1861

President James Buchanan signs bill creating the Territory of Colorado.

November 1, 1861

Jefferson County reorganized to become one of the original 17 counties created by Colorado Territorial Legislature.

November 16, 1861

Original Jefferson County Commissioners, John M. Ferrell, Spafford C. Field and George H. Richardson, appointed by Gov. William Gilpin and meet to organize upcoming county election.

November 19, 1861

Great windstorm destroys 25 buildings in Golden City.

December 7, 1861

Election of county officers, including the first Board of County Commissioners.

January 6, 1862

Newly elected County officials assume office.

June 20, 1862

First county tax and school tax levied by Jefferson County Commissioners.

August 14, 1862

Golden City becomes capitol of the Territory of Colorado, remains so until 1867.

1863

Henry Stevens, the first recorded homesteader in Jefferson County under the 1863 Homestead Act, builds his cabin at the current site of 44th and Teller streets in Wheat Ridge.